We continue on our tour around the bases though the spring training lens. Today the first basemen take centre stage.
There are eleven first basemen in camp. Here they are by estimated level:
Major League: Lyle Overbay; Kevin Millar
AAA: Chip Cannon; Randy Ruiz
AA: Brian Dopirak
A+: David Cooper
A: Manny Rodriguez; Michael McDade; Adam Amar; Kevin Denis-Fortier; Justin McClanahan;
Extended: Nate Nelson
Other than Millar the Jays are set at first base through most of the organization. At the major league level Millar could be a platoon partner for either Overbay at first or Adam Lind at DH. Keeping Millar means that someone like Johnny Mac might be dropped from the roster. If Millar is willing to play in AAA then that would be bad news for Chip Cannon who has not shown he can hit AAA pitching yet. I find it hard to believe that Millar would go back to AAA after so many years in the majors and Millar confirmed as much yesterday. Chip missed half of last season but was not able to deliver before he was hurt. 2009 might be his last chance. Randy Ruiz is another option for first base; through his career Ruiz has played first base, outfield and DH. It is not clear where the Jays will play him in AAA, for now I will assume he will be the DH.
Dopirak and Cooper appear set in AA and high A respectively. Both players were promoted in late 2008 and will need some time to consolidate their gains from 2008. Before last season Dopirak looked like his career was over, but he signed with the Jays, re-worked his swing, and had an excellent season in Dunedin and finally in New Hampshire. Cooper was drafted last season and made the big in-season jump as far as Dunedin. Both Dopirak and Cooper spent little time at AA and high A respectively last season so I would expect them to return there to start the season.
The unanswered question is who will play first in Lansing? Manny Rodriguez joined the Jays as a minor league free agent prior to last season and had a great first half in Lansing before fading in the second half. Mike McDade started in Lansing but was demoted to Auburn in mid-season. McDade is heavy, even by first base standards, and needs to either start hitting the ball out of the park or losing some of his weight. Last season was his first full year and he should have used the off-season to get physically ready for 2009. Adam Amar was undrafted and played in independent ball before joining Auburn last season. Amar also started strongly but faded over the last month. The second half fade is worrisome for an undrafted player, does it mean the league has figured him out or was his first half just a hot streak? McClanahan was a GCL all-star but he is 23 years old already. Denis-Fortier is a Canadian who has been injured and didn't get a lot of playing time last season.
In addition to these guys Jon Talley could play first base also if the Jays decide he will not be a catcher.
My guess is that Millar will be in Toronto or retired. Cannon, Dopirak and Cooper then fill the next three levels. If Talley is not catching then he will be the Lansing first baseman. If Talley is catching then I think it will be Mike McDade for a second try.
Major League: Lyle Overbay
AAA: Chip Cannon (Randy Ruiz as backup and DH)
AA: Brian Dopirak
A+: David Cooper
A: Mike McDade
Extended: Kevin Denis-Fortier; Justin McClanahan
Tomorrow we will look at the middle infielders
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